The Chief Minister has announced the package for the ‘kuruvai’ or short term pulses and paddy plantation. (Source: PTI)

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy has allocated Rs 56.92 crore for the benefit of farmers from the Cauvery delta region. The Chief Minister has announced the package for the ‘kuruvai’ or short term pulses and paddy plantation. The CM has also promised 12 hours of three-phase power to the farmers. The Tamil Nadu CM also said that it won’t be possible to open the sluice gates of the Mettur dam due to the low water storage level at the dam. The CM through a statement also said that the storage level at the dam was at 90 feet against the full capacity of 120 feet, according to the Indian Express. Palaniswami also announced a subsidy of 100 percent for the farmers on manure and fertilisers which would be used in paddy cultivation. The CM also announced a subsidy on certain farm machines and specific PVC pipes.

Palaniswami decided to provide the package along with along with TN Agriculture Minister R Doraikannu. Also, the state government has decided to limit paddy cultivation area in the state from 3.16 lakh acres to just 1.60 lakh acres this year due to paucity of water. TN government will promote cultivation of pulses in 1.32 lakh acres as an alternate, according to an Indian Express report.

The Chief Minister also said that Karnataka had not released Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu last year. Palaniswami said that the water level had dropped to just 23 feet last year as Tamil Nadu experienced a drought. The CM said the package would achieve the purpose of cultivation using groundwater and improve the health of the soil.